LTI Korea 
DLKL 
SIWF 
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The Place
Wit N Cynical: Bookstore dedicated to poetry
A vibrant, lively street in Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Dongyang Bookstore has been around since 1953. The poetry bookstore Wit N Cynical sits atop a spiral staircase. Hello. My name is You Hee-kyoung, and I’m a poet. I’m also the owner of this small poetry bookstore. You may be surprised on your first visit. You’ll find a bookstore on the ground floor. And then there’s another bookstore at the top of the spiral staircase. It’s quite unique to have two bookstores together. Since they both sell books, you might think of them as rivals. But the relationship is more symbiotic because we focus on poetry, unlike Dongyang Bookstore. Q. Why do you have translations of Korean poetry books? How was it like reading Korean poems in foreign languages? There’s a program called Yeok-si. We planned it with the Literature Translation Institute of Korea to share translated poems with readers and see how well they are received. I was amazed that it was actually possible. Translation itself is often seen as an impossible feat. This is even more so for poetry. The effort that goes into translation is truly moving and beautiful. Q. What significance does poetry have for you, a poet and a poetry bookstore owner? There are two types of jewels. The first type is clearly valuable and recognizable from the start. The second type grows on you as you take time to observe it. I think poetry belongs to the latter. In sum, poetry can be described as “a jewel discoverable over time.” Q. Tell us more about Sagadogseo, a special space in Wit N Cynical. Sagadogseo is the name of a policy created during the reign of King Sejong. I think books sell less these days because people don’t have time to read. I saw the solution in leisure and space, and the latter was something I could work on. That’s how I came up with this space called Sagadogseo. It’s usually open to visitors for reading, and sometimes used for recitals and various literary workshops. Q. Top 3 books recommended by Wit N Cynical Can you recommend the top 3 among your vast collection? As a poet myself, it’s difficult for me to pick the top 3. But there is one book I would like to mention in particular. It’s Autobiography of Death by the poet Kim Hyesoon. This book is very well-translated. As you know, poetry is difficult to translate. The poet adopts an Asian approach to death, and the English translation is really good. I’d like to recommend it to those who need serious reading, those interested in Korean poetry, and those hoping to appreciate poetry as intended in the original language. The translation of Autobiography of Death is a real catch. Q. Is there a good place for reading near the store? I was drawn to Hyehwa-dong because it’s an old town. It’s popular not only among the elderly, but also young people. Among the many hangouts, Marronnier Park is a must-visit. It’s the former site of Seoul National University. If the weather is good, there are many spots to sit down and read. I like to go there with a book in my hand when it gets stuffy in the bookstore. As you watch the world go by, you will get to know a charming side of Seoul. Q. What are your plans for Wit N Cynical? The goal of bookstores, regardless of size, is to survive. The book industry is special. Bookstores are for-profit, but they also serve the public. People who run bookstores believe that reading is essential for a better society. They’ve come this far based on that belief. In this sense, I’d like Wit N Cynical to survive. It’s one of the few remaining poetry bookstores in Korea, and probably the only that sells solely poetry books. And by that alone, it has value. Translated by Park Kyoung-lee
By Korean Literature Now
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Book For You
[Book for You] Any Korean books to help me become a best parent?
You Hee-kyoung(You) : Hello. This is ‘Book for You’ from KLN. I am your host, You Hee-kyoung, a poet. Jeong Ji Hye(Jeong) : I am Jeong Ji Hye from Sajeokin Bookshop. I heard that our first episode was sensational. It has prompted many letters to us. You : But we can’t stop here. We’ll keep working for Korean literature and for readers waiting for our book prescriptions. Jeong : We’ll start with a letter that arrived today. It’s from Ms. Putri in Indonesia. Let me read it for you. Putri’s letter addressed to Book for You I'm a Korean literature enthusiast. But I have trouble maintaining my hobby as a reader. Finding the time for reading hasn’t been easy since I became pregnant. I am trying to take the time out of my busy schedule to read, especially books on parenting since I am a prospective mother. Can you recommend any Korean books to help a busy and pregnant woman like me become a best parent? Congratulations on your pregnancy, Putri!! You : Even though I have never met Putri, I’m sure that she will be a great mother. Let me tell you why. You : My pick is With the Heart of a Child, a new release in 2022 from Achimdal. As its title suggests, this is a book about children. It contains poems and essays by 13 poets. One of the poets is Cho Hye-eun. She is a mother of two. As all mothers, she hasher share of happiness, frustration, and anger. Her poem ‘Mouse Mask’ shows her feeling angry and sorry when she fails to understand her children. In the morning playground, a boy was digging in the dirt when he saw a mouse running away from him. The mouse disappeared into the drain and the boy started poking the drain to find that mouse and never stopped. I haven’t played long enough. Can I play a little longer, please? By the midday, the happiness that swelled and spread all over the body like hives has subsided Once the streetlamps were lit, It was time to say goodbye to people who shared that moment That isn’t what love is Never The children opened their eyes and cleared the dirt From "Mouse Mask" You : Well, I’m not a parent so I don’t really know how to be a good one. What I know, though, is when a good relationship develops. It is when you listen carefully to what the other person says, and try to understand what it means. As I said earlier, I am convinced that Putri will be a good parent and good guardian because her letter to us shows that she is trying to address some concern. I think that addressing that concern is the beginning of a good relationship. Let us not assume that we understand the heart of a child because we were a child once, but take a moment to reflect and discover what we might have forgotten or have not realized. Think of a child not as an object to protect and teach but as someone to live with Jeong : My pick for Putri, who wishes to be a good parent, is a young adult’s novel by Lee Heeyoung. It’s titled Paint. Jeong : The cover has a sensational catchphrase that reads: “If you could choose your parents, who would you choose?” This story is set in a future society with a low birth rate, where people no longer have as many as babies as before, and children are raised in a state-run childcare center and people are encouraged to adopt them. These children go through a series of processes before they meet their pre-fosters (prospective foster parents). They go through document review, medical checkup, and psychological test... Finally, and most importantly, they go to ‘parents interview.’ You : Oh, is that where the title Paint comes from? Jeong : Exactly! Paint is short for ‘parent interview.’ The children in this state-run childcare center don’t say “I go to a ‘parents interview.’” They say “I go to ‘Pa-Int’ instead. That shortened word ‘Pa-Int,’ or ‘Paint,’ is the title of this novel. I wanted to prescribe this book for Putri’s case because it will allow her to think about what makes a good parent from the perspective of children rather than adults. What is becoming a parent all about? What about preparing to have a baby? Can all those preparations make me a good parent? (…) “Pre-fosters come across as avid readers of books on childcare who finally decide, ‘Well, I think I’m ready for a baby now.’” “…….” “No parent in the world can perfectly prepare themselves in advance.” “…….” “Parent-child relationship is something you create.” From Paint What is becoming a parent all about? What about preparing to have a baby? Can all those preparations make me a good parent? (…) “Pre-fosters come across as avid readers of books on childcare who finally decide, ‘Well, I think I’m ready for a baby now.’” “…….” “No parent in the world can perfectly prepare themselves in advance.” “…….” “Parent-child relationship is something you create.” From Paint Jeong : As I read this passage for Putri, I wanted to convey this message: ‘You don’t become a parent; you’re becoming one.’ I don’t think there is an absolute standard for good, or best parents. I think that such a standard can vary depending on the unique characters and surroundings of children and their parents. So I encourage Putri to read this book and ask herself, “What kind of parent will I be becoming?” You : Is Paint available in other languages? Jeong : Yes, it is! Paint is available in Japanese and Chinese editions. I hope that it will be made available in other languages so that Putri and other readers can read it. You don’t ‘become’ a parent; you’re ‘becoming’ one. You : I hope that this episode has brought comfort to Putri, as well as readers watching our channel. We will see you in the next episode. Jeong : If you seek comfort from us in the form of book prescriptions, send us your story via the address below. Need a book prescription? Share your story with us at the KLN website (www.kln.or.kr). You : You will be eligible for a chance to win a gift as well as our book prescriptions. Jeong : That’s all for today. Jeong&You : Book for you. Bye~ See you again~
By Korean Literature Now
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The Place
Onul Books: A curated bookstore
An ordinary residential area in Yangjae-dong. Where sunlight pours in through the large windows, and visitors feel as if they have traveled back in time. Hello. I’m Kim Sooji, the manager of Onul Books. Onul Books is a bookstore that opened in September 2018. Our curated collection covers humanities, literature, arts, and picture books. From a broader perspective, we curate books by author and category. Our curation can also be narrowed down to books under the theme of color or books suitable for the season. Q. There are sticky notes here and there in the bookstore. What do you write on them? I write down memorable lines, interviews with authors, and reasons behind book recommendations. I stick them throughout the bookstore to arouse the curiosity of potential readers. Q. Please reveal more about your secret book section. There’s a section called “Bundle of Secret Books” in the middle of the store. You can choose books based on the handwritten introduction, which leaves out typical information like the author. They are usually poetry, essays, and novels. These are the books you’d want to pick as a special gift for yourself or others. Q. Telephone booths are hard to find these days. Why do you have one in the bookstore? The “Secret Telephone Booth” is not meant to make phone calls, but allows you to listen to different sounds by pressing the numbers. For example, you can listen to the voice of James Joyce, the voice of Park Wansuh, the sound of waves, or the sound of a typewriter. I hope you will enjoy moments of peace and quiet in the booth. Q. Top 3 books recommended by the manager of Onul Books The first book I’d like to recommend is One Hundred Shadows, a novel by Hwang Jungeun. This novel was a hit from the time it was published. It’s interesting how it can be read as a romance, and also from a social perspective. I often recommend it to those who visit the store to get their first taste of Korean novels. The second book on my list is Dictionary of the Mind, a collection of essays by the poet Kim So Yeon. The book can be seen as footnotes explaining words in the poet’s mind. The essays are written based on the poet’s unique interpretation of words such as “darkness” and “scent.” It is highly recommended to those looking for gifts to express their feeling to friends or family. The third book I recommend is A Dream of Becoming Water, a picture book by Lucid Fall and Suzy Lee. The bookstore is focused on humanities and literature, but there’s a separate corner for picture books. The book presents the lyrics of Lucid Fall’s song of the same title, together with illustrations by Suzy Lee. Designed like a folding screen, it can be folded out for reading in a large area. As you read the book, put yourself in the shoes of the child, turning into a fish and then a bird. Q. Is there a good place for reading near the store? Some nearby spots are the Yangjae Citizen Forest and Yangjaecheon Stream. Yangjaecheon Stream is especially lovely in April, when it becomes pink with cherry blossoms. Reading outdoors is a worthwhile experience. There’s nothing quite like reading in nature. That’s why I recommend Yangjaecheon Stream and Yangjae Citizen Forest. Q. What are your plans for Onul Books? I hope for Onul Books to stay faithful to its role as a neighborhood bookstore. It will try to serve as a bridge between books and people, going a step further than simply buying and selling books. Onul Books plans to grow into a bookstore that actively communicates with diverse groups of people. Translated by Park Kyoung-lee
By Korean Literature Now
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Book For You
[Book for You] I'm not sure if I will be living long term in Korea
Jeong Ji Hye(Jeong): Hello. I am Jeong Ji Hye, and I will be giving book prescriptions under Book for You, KLN’s online program. You Hee-kyoung(You): I am You Hee-kyoung, and I hope to move your hearts with effective prescriptions. Before we proceed, we should briefly introduce the purpose behind Book for You. Jeong: Overseas readers have limited opportunities to get to know Korean literature. Every now and then, KLN is asked to recommend Korean books. Together with the poet You Hee-kyoung, I will introduce to overseas readers a diverse selection of Korean literature. Book for You Hello,I am an American who has been living in Korea on and off since 2010. I have taught English for several years, I got a master’s degree in fine art painting at a university in Korea, and now am working as a translator. I am still not sure if I will be living long term in Korea. While I have read many short stories, lots of poetry,and a few full novels in Korean, I still am fairly new to Korean literature. I am very interested in stories that discuss race and nationality or foreignness. I haven't gotten to read much fiction that was specifically related to these topics, and I believe it could help me to decide if I will stay long term in Korea. You: Shall we begin by prescribing a novel? Jeong: There’s a novelist who came to mind as you read Taylor’s letter. You: Who would that be? Jeong: The writer Cho Hae-jin. Cho served as a Korean language instructor in Poland for a brief period after making her debut, when she was less busy with her writing. She experienced what it was like being a foreigner and a minority. Perhaps this is why the protagonists in her novels are often students studying abroad, migrants, or adoptees. The book I will be prescribing for Taylor is An Escort of Lights, which also has characters who are foreigners. Taylor mentioned in his letter that he is“still not sure,” and that’s what stuck in my mind. In An Escort of Lights, there is a short story titled “A Refusal of Time”. It contains a passage that would be the perfect prescription for Taylor. Let me read it to you. There’s nothing that stays in the body forever. Food, sensations and emotions, the worries that you staked your life over, and the time spent caught up in such worries. Seok-hui believed that the best consolation lay in being honest about how things that have passed would never return. Excerpt from “A Refusal of Time” That’s my prescription for Taylor. I chose it because even the deepest of concerns,circumstances at a certain time, and beliefs that we stood by tend to naturally change over time. The story’s last sentence is as follows. There would be a life to lead over there as well. You can live life anywhere, be it Korea or the United States. My advice for Taylor is to follow his heart, and watch how it plays out. I will cheer you on regardless of the path you choose. The life you will lead is right where you are. Which poem did you pick for today? You: I pondered over which poem would be most comforting for Taylor, and my choice might come across as unexpected. The poet is Saito Mariko. She was born in Niigata in 1960. She fell in love with Korean literature during her college days, especially Yun Dong-Ju’s poetry, and moved to Korea in 1991. Jeong: That’s really early on in time. You: Let me read you part of the poem titled “Photosynthesis”. I hope its underlying message will resonate with Taylor. Here goes. A tree is called “ki” in Japanese and “namu” in Korean. When I first learned the Korean language ten years ago, the word “tree” took root in my heart. For two months since I came to Korea, I wandered around with my head down. When I first looked up in June, the leaves were gently swaying above. I call them “namu,” and the “namu” within me sends its greeting. The leaves I had poured my heart and soul into over the past decade were glistening in the sun. Excerpt from “Photosynthesis” I believe that a seed called “Korea” has been planted in Taylor’s heart. It will grow into a healthy leaf before he even realizes it. Taylor will someday be able to take rest in its shade. That’s why I chose the poem by the translator Saito Mariko, who, in a way, has been in a position similar to Taylor. Now, try to find rest in the tree that has taken root in your heart. It’s already time to say goodbye. How do you feel about our first session? Jeong: I got to know a lovely poem, and it was a meaningful time. How about you? You: I felt a sense of responsibility in my role. Jeong: We will be giving book prescriptions to help resolve your problems, big and small. If you would like a book prescription, share your worries with us. Shall we wrap it up? Jeong & You: Book for You, Book for You. See you next time. Goodbye! Translated by Park Kyoung-lee
By Korean Literature Now
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The Place
Spain Bookshop: A Spanish Haven in Seoul
A narrow alley leads to a small bookshop like a Spanish haven in Seoul. Hello, I'm Eva the bookseller who runs Spain Bookshop. I was in indie publishing and used to take my books around to a lot of bookshops. That's when I became interested in bookshops. It seemed like a fun way to get involved with nice people and projects, so I started my own bookshop. I decided I would need a theme if I wanted to keep the place running for a long time. So I thought about what I liked best, and that was Spain. It has a lot going for it, culturally and historically. I figured it would give me enough to fill the space, so I decided on Spain as my theme. Q. How did you become interested in Spain? It all started with Gaudí, the architect. I stumbled upon a book about him when I was in high school and that was the beginning of my interest in Spain. At first it was just wonder. 'I can't believe someone thought of buildings like that.' And so I became interested in Gaudí, who did a lot of his work in Barcelona. That got me interested in Barcelona, and then eventually all of Spain. Q. How do you decide on what books to stock at Spain Bookshop? Keeping to our theme, the first books we stock are related to Spain,and Spanish-speaking countries. They run the whole range of subjects. We stock literature, art, travel books. But it's not like so many books are published about Spain or Central and South America year-round, so we can't fill the shop with just those releases. So for the rest, I stock books that interest me on a case-by-case basis. (Spain Bookshop also stocks Spanish editions of Korean literature such as the Spanish translation of Sohn Won-Pyung’s novel, Almedra.) Q. What are your top three bestsellers at Spain Bookshop? First there's this essay collection, Barcelona, Living in the Now. It's a collection of essays from a two-year stay in Barcelona. Think sketches of everyday life, but set in Barcelona. There's just a whiff of a travel element but more than that, it's really about living in Barcelona. You can easily imagine yourself living there and get a vicarious sense of satisfaction. It's simply written but still manages to touch your heart which is why I'm very fond of it and recommend it to everyone. The next one is a Spanish phrasebook called AMOR365. The subtitle is, "A collection of Spanish phrases for lovers." As you may guess from the 365 in the title, It has one Spanish phrase about love for each day of the year. "No star shines as bright as your eyes." It's very popular with people studying Spanish, or people buy it as a gift for a friend or significant other that's studying Spanish. The third book is one we got fairly recently about the Camino de Santiago. It's about the French Way, the most popular route. The author went on the French Way many times before making this book. It's all done in watercolor. It's an accordion book. The entire Camino is about 800 km, from east to west. So this book is made to unfold from left to right,just like the Camino. Q. Are there any nice spots to read around here? In the spring or fall when the weather is nice, there's Namsangol Hanok Village right nearby. It's quite big, and they have lots of places to sit, so it could be a nice place to go with a book. Q. What are your plans for Spain Bookshop? I'd like to keep this place going as long as I can while still staying true to our theme. Spain really means a lot to me, so I'd like it if we could keep that focus. I think it would be great if it could become a lasting space for His panophiles. To build a community with like-minded people and to keep that interest going, that's the goal. Translated by Yoonna Cho
By Korean Literature Now
